HOW DO WE CHANGE THE WORLD?

“That in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always,
so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it by life, or by death.
For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
(Philippians 1:19, 20).

It is easy to live our lives in neutral, isn't it? We fit in with society. We are normal, mediocre, status quo, average, and consequently boring! But this is not an hour for complacency or compromise. We will never turn this society to Christ or back to God's ways by being middle of the road. Nor does God intend us to live this way. When we read God’s Word we notice that He doesn’t use ordinary language. He fills His Word with EXTRAVAGANT ADJECTIVES! He intends us to live ABOVE THE NORMAL!

Are you read to shift into a new gear?

Catherine Booth said these words: “If we are to better the future we are to disturb the present.”

Let’s check out our lifestyle. By the way, I have listed many Scriptures for you. I do trust you will find the time to look them up and read them. The Scriptures are much more powerful than anything I could say to you.

1. VERY COURAGEOUS

It is not enough to be courageous; God wants us to be VERY COURAGEOUS. When God told Joshua to lead the Israelites in to conquer the Promised Land, He told him to be strong and "VERY courageous" (Joshua 1:7). The word “very” is m’od and means “vehemently, wholly, diligently, exceedingly, mightily.”

2. UNCOMPROMISINGLY RIGHTEOUS

It is not enough to be righteous; God wants us to be UNCOMPROMISINGLY RIGHTEOUS. Proverbs 14:19 (AMP) tells us that the wicked will come to a screeching halt at the gates of the uncompromisingly righteous.

3. ABHORING EVIL

It is not enough to avoid evil; God wants us to fight, expose, abhor, and REPROVE ALL EVIL (Ephesians 5:11). It is not enough to be a flickering flame; we must be a huge flame, shining God's light on darkness, deception, and evil (Isaiah 60:1-3, Matthew 5:14-16; Romans 12:9; and Philippians 2:14-15). The word “abhor” in Romans 12:9 means to “shudder at evil.”

4. EXCEEDINGLY FRUITFUL

It is not enough to bring forth fruit; God wants us to bring forth MUCH FRUIT. Jesus said in John 15:8: "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear MUCH fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." Read also Genesis 1:28; Leviticus 26:9; and Psalm 128:3).

5. WHOLE-HEARTEDLY OBEYING

It is not enough to give half-hearted obedience; God wants WHOLE-HEARTED OBEDIENCE (Deuteronomy 28:1, 15; Judges 2:1-5; 16-17; 1 Samuel 15:1-35; and John 15:14).

6. BOLDLY PROCLAIMING GOD’S TRUTH

It is not enough to speak for the Lord; God wants us to SPEAK BOLDLY (Acts 4:13, 29-31; 9:27; 14:3; 19:8; Ephesians 6:19-20; and Philippians 1:20).

7. EXCEEDINGLY REJOICING

It is not enough to rejoice; God wants us to REJOICE EXCEEDINGLY, not only when things are going great, but when we are being persecuted or going through difficult times (Habakkuk 3:17-18; Matthew 5:11-12; and 1 Peter 4:12-13).

8. ALWAYS PRESSING FORWARD

It's not enough to hold our ground; God wants us to PRESS FORWARD (Philippians 3:13-14; 1 Corinthians 9:24; and Hebrews 12:1-2).

9. FERVENTLY PRAYING

It is not enough to pray; God wants us to PRAY FERVENTLY Colossians 4:12 and James 5:16).
He also wants us to pray CONTINUALLY (Acts 6:4; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 1:16; 6:18; Colossians 1:3, 9; 4:2, 12; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; and 2 Timothy 1:3).
He also wants us to pray PERSEVERINGLY (Ephesians 6:18 and Philippians 1:4).
He also wants us to pray EARNESTLY (James 5:17).
And He wants us to pray EXCEEDINGLY (1 Thessalonians 3:10). The word “exceedingly” is the Greek word perissos and means “abundantly.” We don’t pray little prayers here and there, but we are always abundantly and exceedingly praying!

10. ABOUNDINGLY SERVING THE LORD

It is not enough to work for the Lord; God wants us to work ABOUNDINGLY 1 Corinthians 15:58 tell us to be "ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD." The word abounding is perisseuo and means "to excel, to increase, to superabound, enough and to spare, over and above.”

Do you notice that God is not content with the average and normal? He wants us to live an overcoming and extraordinary life. Are you ready for the next level?

NANCY CAMPBELL
www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

“Dear Father, please save me from living an ordinary life when you came to give me not only life, but ABUNDANT life. Please help me to live in the fulness of Your life which dwells within in me. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

By the power of the Spirit of God who indwells me I am living exceedingly, abundantly, aboundingly, courageously, whole-heartedly, uncompromisingly, and proclaiming boldly God’s truth wherever I go.